The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Dr Brian Plastow, consulted extensively across the criminal justice sector while drawing up the detailed framework.

He said: “From today, Scotland is the first country in the world to have a national code of practice which gives guidance to the police on how biometric data and related forensic technologies can be used.

“It promotes good practice, transparency and accountability by setting out standards for professional decision making while matching the needs and responsibilities of policing with important human rights safeguards. Its implementation should enhance confidence in our criminal justice system.”

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “Given the rapid increase in police use of biometric data and technologies in recent years, it is all the more important that we have an independent commissioner who will raise public awareness about rights, responsibilities and standards.

“It is vital that we promote a clearer understanding of these issues in our communities – especially for young and vulnerable people.”

The code sets out how biometric data can be acquired, retained, used and destroyed for criminal justice and policing purposes and also includes a complaints mechanism and the power of enforcement to ensure compliance.

It details 12 principles and ethical considerations to which Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Investigations and Review Commissioner must adhere. They include equality, lawful authority, ethics, privacy, respect for human rights and encouragement of scientific and technological advances.